The Patriots are again in a well-known place of choosing late within the first spherical of the NFL Draft.
The NFL Scouting Mix has come and gone, and free company continues to be a number of days away, so let’s knock out our first mock draft of the offseason.
The Patriots’ biggest needs are at large receiver, edge defender, and alongside their offensive line.
Now we have them filling these wants within the first three picks of our mock draft.
Spherical 1, Choose No. 31: WR Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana
The Patriots want extra offensive firepower, particularly after electing to release veteran large receiver Stefon Diggs after the brand new league yr begins subsequent week.
Cooper is a flexible playmaker who proved during the last two seasons that he can produce from outdoors or within the slot. At 6-feet, 199 kilos, Cooper is a sturdily constructed large receiver who reveals off a powerful heart of stability whereas working by way of tackles and choosing up yards after catch.
I’d advocate for the Patriots to take a large receiver early within the draft even when they’re capable of commerce for A.J. Brown, signal Alec Pierce or purchase one other top-tier veteran large receiver. Head coach Mike Vrabel mentioned on the mix that the best way to discover a No. 1 large receiver is thru the draft. The Patriots’ large receiver corps at present has spectacular depth, however it lacks top-end expertise.
Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels would discover plenty of methods to have enjoyable with a participant like Cooper.
Spherical 2, Choose No. 63: ED Derrick Moore, Michigan
Whether or not it’s through free agency, a commerce, or the draft, the Patriots know they want an improve on the sting. A technique or one other, the Patriots have to generate extra of a go rush subsequent season.
Moore has good measurement at 6-foot-4, 255 kilos and was a particularly productive go rusher at Michigan. Amongst certified draft-eligible edge rushers, Moore ranked third in PFF’s pass-rush productiveness metric final season and sixth in pass-rush win fee on true go units.
He completed his senior season with 10 sacks, 9 QB hits and 41 complete pressures.
Spherical 3, Choose No. 95: OT Markel Bell, Miami
It’s by no means a horrible concept so as to add a very huge man within the draft, and Bell qualifies. There are zero questions on Bell’s size. He’s 6-foot-9, 346 kilos with 36 3/8-inch arms. Bell didn’t permit a sack at left deal with final season at Miami however might venture higher on the precise aspect given his body.
It wouldn’t be stunning to see the Patriots construct a Miami pipeline. Govt vp of participant personnel Eliot Wolf, personnel government Alonzo Highsmith and professional personnel director A.J. Highsmith all went to “The U” and nonetheless have ties there.
Spherical 4: TE Marlin Klein, Michigan
Will the Patriots double-dip from Michigan regardless of having an Ohio State alum at head coach? A group captain in 2025, Klein wasn’t overly productive in 4 years at Michigan, however the German-born tight finish continues to be comparatively new to the game.
At 6-foot-6, 248 kilos, Klein ran a powerful 4.61-second 40-yard sprint on the NFL Scouting Mix. It’s value taking a flier on a mid-round tight finish like Klein to see if he can develop within the execs.
Spherical 4: G Jalen Farmer, Kentucky
Farmer has the dimensions, size and athleticism that groups are in search of at guard with a 6-foot-5, 312-pound body and 34 1/4-inch arms. The Florida switch ran a 4.93-second 40-yard sprint on the mix.
Farmer is a piece in progress as a go blocker, however the Patriots have to construct out their inside offensive line depth.
Spherical 5: CB Charles Demmings, Stephen F. Austin
The 6-foot-1, 193-pound FCS cornerback has best measurables for a Patriots cornerback. He’s additionally a spectacular athlete, working a 4.41-second 40-yard sprint with a 42-inch vertical leap and 11-feet broad leap.
Demmings dominated his competitors final season, permitting a 39.8 passer score, letting up 18 catches on 37 targets for 246 yarsd with one landing and 4 interceptions in 12 video games.
Spherical 6: ATH Eli Heidenreich, Navy
If Invoice Belichick was nonetheless head coach, Heidenreich can be a lock. He basically performed position-less soccer at Navy, lining up within the slot, out large, at working again, fullback and even inline at tight finish.
At 6-feet, 198 kilos, he doubtless initiatives as a third-down again or slot receiver on the NFL stage, and he’s bought the athleticism to play within the execs, working a 4.44-second 40-yard sprint on the mix.
As a senior at Navy, Heidenreich rushed 77 instances for 499 yards with three touchdowns and caught 51 passes for 941 yards with six extra scores. It was his second consecutive season with over 1,000 yards from scrimmage and 9 touchdowns.
Spherical 6: S Cole Wisniewski, Texas Tech
A non-combine invite, Wisniewski can play security or linebacker on the subsequent stage with a 6-foot-3, 214-pound body.
Transferring from North Dakota State, Wisniewski primarily performed free security at Texas Tech final season and shined, permitting simply 165 yards on 24 catches.
Spherical 6: RB Robert Henry Jr., UTSA
Undersized at 5-foot-9, 196 kilos, Henry had a superb senior season, speeding for 1,045 yards and 6.9 yards per carry with 11 complete touchdowns.
Spherical 6: QB Taylen Inexperienced, Arkansas
The Patriots don’t want a quarterback, however Inexperienced is value taking within the sixth spherical primarily based on his athletic profile alone. At 6-foot-6, 227 kilos, Inexperienced ran a 4.36-second 40-yard sprint with a 43.5-inch vertical leap and 11-foot, 2-inch broad leap.
He can be one of many NFL’s most athletic large receivers for his measurement.
Spherical 7: TE Will Kacmarek, Ohio State
An old-school blocking tight finish, Kacmarek additionally caught 15-of-17 targets for 168 yards with two touchdowns as a senior.
